Mannual Tricks For How To Open Unsupported Images

Best Solution to Open Unsupported Images in Windows

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  Written By Lovely Baghel

• Published on: February 28th, 2019

• Updated on: December 3, 2025

Some images are just not cooperative, as they refuse to open, throw “unsupported image” error, or just go blank. For IT admins, designers, digital artists, and everyone working with visual data, this is quite troublesome. If your day involves handling complex client projects, project visuals, archived media datasets, etc., then the best solution is to find a reliable way to open unsupported images. This blog elaborates on some easy, free ways and a professional Image Repair Tool to access images cleanly, safely, and without any loss. 

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Why Unsupported Image File Error Occur?

This error usually occurs when Windows doesn’t support a particular image format. 

Different Image File Formats:

JPG/PNG/JPEG/GIF/BMP/TIFF/etc. From several FAT and NTFS file systems. 

Some common factors that an image gets unsupported are:

• Uncommon proprietary codec
• Damaged or missing metadata structure and file header
• Different file extension and internal format
• Corrupted or partially damaged image
• OS doesn’t recognize what to do with the image
• Unrecognized compression format
• Partial download or interruption during transfer 
• Rare image file formats such as SGI, CUR, DDS, WBMP, XCF

If you find any of these reasons similar to your issue, then you can easily recover from this issue. Below are the methods you need to follow to fix the unsupported image error and access images easily. 

Cost-Free Methods to Open Unsupported Images on Windows 

There are some basic troubleshooting steps that you can follow to fix the error without any cost or lengthy procedures. However, you need technical skills to execute any of these mentioned methods:

1) Update Image Application or Try Another Viewer

One of the common methods is to update the Windows Photo Viewer. If it still doesn’t work, then changing the photo viewer application might be helpful. 

2) Change the Image Format

To repair unsupported images, try changing the file extensions of your images. Ensure pictures have the correct extension, like .jpg, .png, .tiff, and so on. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open the image with Paint or Photoshop.
2. Then, edit if needed, else click File >> Save As/Saving Options. 
3. In the open dialog, select a preferred image format. 
4. Afterward, select a location and enter a file name. 
5. At last, click Save, and the image format changes. 

3) Unhide the Image File Extensions 

Sometimes, image extensions remain hidden, making it difficult for the viewer to recognize them. Open unsupported images by:

1. First, go to Control Panel and open Appearance and Personalization.
2. Then, click on File Explorer and move to the View tab.
3. Now, click on Show Hidden Files and Folders.
4. Finally, remove “Check” from “Hide Extensions” and tap Apply to unhide.

4) Fix Unsupported Image Error from Browser

If you still cannot access the image and it continues to display the same error, then try opening it in the browser. Steps are:

1. Locate the image file on your system and right-click it. 
2. Then, choose Open With from the options. 
3. Further, select the desired browser from the list (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, etc.)
4. Once the image gets opened on the web, save it on your PC or print it. 

5) Try Windows Built-in Troubleshooters

It is possible that the problem lies with Windows and not your images. Try these to resolve it:

• Run DISM for system codecs on Windows
• Install HEIF/RAW extensions from the Microsoft Store for unsupported or legacy formats
• Clear the Photos app cache to improve the processing speed 

Hassle-Free Method to Open Unsupported Images

Manual methods do exist, but they aren’t reliable and often fall apart when the image files are damaged or corrupted. They have missing headers, broken metadata, and disordered pixel arrays. This demands a more exclusive and professional solution, like the SysInfo Image Repair Software. It helps image recovery for both FAT and NTFS system images in various formats. Additionally, multiple images can be repaired altogether without any difficulties on any Windows OS. Moreover, its easy-to-use interface makes the process simplified and quick. 

Steps to Repair Unsupported Images

1. Launch the Image File Repair Tool and click the Add Files button. 
2. Then, browse and select the images from your PC and click Open. 
3. Further, double-click the uploaded images for a preview. 
4. Afterward, press Browse and pick a destination to save the image files. 
5. At last, click the Repair and Save button to fix the error and access images. 

Client Testimonial:

I am a manager at a product design company in Texas and have recently received around 1250 vendor images. But 450 images among them displayed the ‘Unsupported Image File Error.’ I needed to fix them immediately, and it was all possible because of this Image Repair Software by SysInfo. It is flawless, secure, and keeps the integrity of the images. I am very satisfied, and you must try it out too!

Explore More: Extract Data from VHD File

Conclusion

Unsupported image errors do not seem to be catastrophic. However, they indicate a much larger problem within the integrity of the image data. If the issues are only caused by differences in how an image file is saved, you can view or convert your image using another image viewer or converter. If the structure of the image has been compromised, the best option is to use the Image Recovery Tool to open unsupported images. Taking preventive measures against unsupported image errors will help keep the creative, IT, and operational processes running smoothly and mitigate the risk of losing data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How can I open unsupported images on Windows?

Ans. You may be able to access a specific image format simply by opening it with a different application. Or, you can use a specialized Image File Repair Software to fix any corrupted image files that you have so that Windows 11 will be able to view it with ease.

Q2. Which tool is best to repair Unsupported Images?

Ans. The best option to fix unsupported image error is to use SysInfo Image Repair Tool , which will provide batch repair capabilities and output repaired files in a Windows-compatible format.

Q3. Are Unsupported Image File Error related to file corruption?

Ans. In many cases, an unsupported image file issue is due to the loss of image file headers, corrupted metadata, or images that have been partially downloaded. 

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About The Author:

Lovely Baghel

As a content writer, I specialize in Email Migration, Data Recovery, Email Backup, and File Management. I have been writing professionally for two years now. There is so much information available in this field that I am intrigued by the newer technologies and techniques.

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